Pro Wrestling

I was looking through my top rated matches from this decade and noticed some recurring names. A really, really rough draft: 1. Black Terry 2. Brock Lesnar 3. Minoru Suzuki 4. Daniel Bryan 5. Kazuchika Okada 6. Jun Akiyama 7. AJ Styles 8. Negro Casas 9. Io Shirai 10. Dick Togo Honorable Mentions: Tetsuya Naito, Sasha Banks, Asuka, Rey Hechicero

I think this needs its own thread since I see him cited all over the place more than I used to. Dave insists that he's a con man working a gimmick, which sounds like Gene Okerlund and the WCW Hotline to me. Are there people who think he's credible? Why? This is also a good time to vent about the toxic, anti-truth movement his podcast (and Vince Russo's, for that matter) have created on Twitter, with their followers trolling Dave constantly.

As the title said, did you ever study wrestling history? If the answer is positive, what do you like to study? Pionier era (Gotch, Burns, Jenkins, Hackenshmidt, Lewis, Stecher......), Jim Londos era, Lou Thesz era, Territorial era? Did you ever read history's books? If yes, what books? Thank you

What are some moves that seemed to be fairly common in wrestling of the past that you don't see much anymore that you'd like to see more often? For me: - Rolling cradle - Swinging neckbreaker - Flying bodypress - La Magistral - Abdominal stretch (when it's done well) - Flying shoulderblock - Powerslam (as a finisher) - Stun gun - Argentine backbreaker/torture rack - Using a snapmare as a transition - Double axehandle from the top - Reverse roll-up (I refuse to call it a rolling crotch hold) - Gourdbuster - Texas Cloverleaf If these moves are being used regularly by anyone, show me the way! Speaking more generally, I miss really advanced pinning co…

Selling a lot of my wrestling books/merch. I am guessing most of you have these, but if anyone is interested shoot me a message. https://www.ebay.com/itm/263728470331?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Block A: Kento Miyahara (triple crown champ) Shingo Takagi Yuji Hino Shuji Ishikawa (defending champ) Joe Doreing Naoya Nomura Bodyguard Ryuji Sai Block B: Suwama Jun Akiyama Zeus Dylan James Naomichi Marufuji KAI Yoshi-Tatsu Yutuka Yoshie Day 1 Sendai sun Plaza 7/4 Live on AJPW TV - A Block: Kento Miyahara vs. Shingo Takagi - A Block: Shuji Ishikawa vs. Yuji Hino - B Block: Jun Akiyama vs. Dylan James - B Block: Suwama vs. Zeus Day 2 Akita 8/4 Available on demand the next day - A: Joe Doering vs. Shuji Ishikawa - A: Kento Miyahara vs. Naoya Nomura - B: Suwama vs. KAI - B: Zeus vs. Yoshitatsu Day 3 Niigata 10/4 Available on…

I have been watching a lot of AJ Styles and he is such an underrated brawler. Some of the best punches of all time! That overhand right that hits the side of face, nose is nasty, always makes a great sound and looks violent as hell. That is some pure 80s, Southern punching greatness there. Everyone talks about the flips and tricks, but he is so sound. Those awesome punches are a staple going all the way back to 2003! He would have been incredible in Memphis. Him vs Lawler could have been the greatest match of all time period. I just think they would have sized up so well against each other. That got me thinking is AJ the best puncher of the 2000s wrestlers??? Punching…

So for this week's podcast, we're looking to talk about guilty pleasures in wrestling, and are looking for your contributions on wrestlers, matches, angles, feuds, shows, whatever it may be, that for you is a guilty pleasure - someone or something that typically gets plenty of derision and scorn, but deep down you enjoy, perhaps against your better judgement. And of course, please explain why you enjoy this particular person or thing, and your perspective as one of the few who takes enjoyment in it. As always, the best contributions will be read on the show and you'll be credited accordingly. So what's your guilty pleasure in wrestling and why? EDIT - Our show on Wr…

So I've been going back and filling in the gaps, listening to older episodes of podcasts I may have missed before. P2B, Austin, Jericho, etc. In listening to some older Jericho interviews, I've hit several episodes where he's talking a lot to various guests about the Performance Center. Terry Taylor's name has come up several times, and Jericho specifically told a story of Taylor helping him back in WCW - suggesting his heel turn and the acquisition of a submission finisher. Jericho then goes on to credit Taylor with bringing the concept of the tap out to the North American wrestling scene. Jericho states how he never saw it being used before that period, and it o…

After reports of USA renewing just Raw for big money, ESPN just reported Fox is getting Smackdown apparently to be on the main Fox network. Vince pretty much just hit the lottery here.

This board may be an exception, where we really value footage and dissect, but there seem's to be a lot of people who care more about the business end of things. I've completely given up on back stage shenanigans, stock prices, tv ratings, all of that. Do I like the product or not, determines what I watch. Has there been a shift towards more business caring than product caring? Has Metlzer influenced this change? Am I out to lunch thinking this is happening at all?

So, for this weeks podcast, we're looking at the Worst Turns in wrestling history, and we want to get some feedback on which ones you think rank at the bottom. Which turn from face to heel or vice versa stands out to you as the all-time worst? You can base it on the conception of the idea or the execution itself, but we'd like to know WHY you consider it the all-time worst. As always, the best contributions will be read on the show and you'll be credited accordingly. So what's your pick? Is it an obvious one like Austin at Mania 17, or is there one that personally bothered you more as a fan? EDIT - The show discussing the Worst Turns in Wrestling History, featuring …

Who has a claim to have had great matches in 2 years the furthest apart? Examples Terry Funk -- 35 years vs. Jumbo Tsuruta (1976) vs. Jerry Lawler (2011) Johnny Saint -- 35 years vs. Jim Breaks (1973) vs. Mike Quackenbush (2008) Yoshiaki Fujiwara -- 33 years vs. Super Tiger (1984) vs. Shinya Aoki (2017) Jerry Lawler -- 30 years vs. Terry Funk (1981) vs. The Miz (2011) Negro Casas -- 29 years vs. Fuerza Guerrera (1986) vs. Dragon Lee (2015) Antonio Inoki -- 27 years vs. Chris Markoff (1969) vs. Vader (1996) Hijo del Santo -- 26 years vs. Espanto Jr. (1986) w Villano IV vs. Hijo del Solitario & Angel Blanco Jr (2012) Ver…

Talking about Regal's 2013 matches in the Longest Period Between Great Matches thread got me thinking what are the best final matches in a career, whether they're proper retirement matches or just final matches by circumstance?

And does it change week by week, according to circumstances? Do you have blocked parts of the week for watching, or do you just try to watch when you can? Is it difficult to fit in with your work/family/social responsibilities? At the moment, I'm on about 10-15 hours a week with an hour or so a day, and a 2-3 hours a day at weekends.

This is a topic I've seen brought up before, but never really discussed purely in depth. As more promotions treat streaming as a big source of revenue, I'm finding myself shifting away from thinking of matches as just happening in themselves and shifting into thinking of matches for their overall place in the TV production. Matches have become like movies with wrestlers playing the role of actors. You've got camera crews, production people, screenplay writers/bookers, narrators/commentators, and directors/agents. When a great movie comes out, a director often gets just as much praise for it as the lead actors, so why not think of wrestling in similar terms? The wrest…

What is the best wrestling company/promotion ever? Pick your own criteria but try and account for its entire run rather than picking based on specific eras. My rough list: 1. NJPW 2. WWF/WWE 3. EMLL/CMLL 4. AJPW 5. AJW 6. NWA/WCW 7. RINGS 8. BattlARTS 9. UWF (the second one) 10. Joint Promotions

Branched off from yesdanielbryan's thread to avod a hijacking. I think it's got the potential to be an interesting topic. I was saying how I saw Benoit wrestle in Calgary and in Edmonton and the connection between he and the crowd in those buildings at that time was truly incredible. Also, how the closest I have experienced in a big venue here in Japan was Manabu Nakanishi in the Osaka Furitsutaiikukaikan a few years back. The crowd just lived and died with every move and gesture the big lug made in the ring. and that I saw Misawa in the Budokan twice, and I have to say that Nakanishi and the Furitsu crowd had an even more intense connection. Matt D h…

This is kind of similar to the Dr. Who question of who is your Doctor. When you think of your favorite promotion what is it. What promotion is like going back and visiting old friends when you watch it. I'll start off with WCW. When I became a fan of wrestling in 1997 it was with WCW. I've watched WWE for a long time but it's never been my promotion, it's always just been what's on TV and available to me. WCW is home. Watching some old stuff is like checking in with my buddies Sting, Flair, etc. WWE has never had that same familiar vibe to me. So what would be your promotion?

I've really enjoyed Stardom the last couple of years. Great promotion and I really dig the style. I've also branched out and checked out some of the other promotions and have also enjoyed them. Historical joshi is something I'm pretty blind too. I've watched some matches here and there but I would really like to dig in more. So where's a good place to start? I'm assuming AJW? What are the best matches? Should I cherry pick the top end matches or watch things in context?

Who would be your top 5 or so that you consider the most under rated workers of all time & why? When I thought about this I had these guys off the top of my head: Rick Martel Brad Armstrong Bobby Eaton Chris Adams Terry Taylor

I wonder how many people here will remember "Big Bully" Busick. He had only a cup of coffee in the WWF with Harvey Wippleman as his manager before Wippleman went on to manage a freshly-turned heel Sid in time for WrestleMania 8. I always wondered why the WWF never did more with him. He certainly had a memorable look, which is really saying something for that era. From WWE.com: Former WWE Superstar Nick “Big Bully” Busick has passed away at the age of 63, WWE is saddened to learn. A notorious in-ring villain known for his signature derby and mustache, Busick battled Superstars like Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Sid and The British Bulldog in the early ’90s. WWE extends …

What promotion do you prefer between ROH of 2000s and AJPW 90s? What are the positives of the two promotions, and what the negatives? Thank you very much

I've looked all over for any threads on this but haven't found anything. I've heard a ton about this promotion and how fun it was to watch the various matchups and feuds. I've been a bit confused on where to start watching as there really isn't much of a guide on the net that I've seen of the best matches/angles/wrestlers. If anyone can guide me in the right direction would be very appreciated!

Or does he? I think this Kermit the frog sounding geek is kind of an old weirdo but watching him mark out for Stu Hart's grappling is hilarious. Maybe we should invite him over here? Send him a playlist of Fujiwara/Inoki matches? Get him on a podcast with Parv?